During the time when health authorities have been asking people to get shot against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), new research has concluded that there is a possible link between the shots of Pfizer and GSK shots and the rare neurological disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is also known as GBS.
A preliminary data was shared by the health officials during a meeting of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which revealed that the GBS was found among the 23 individuals, out of 9.5 million which received the vaccine against RSV.
Health experts have mentioned that the illness directly weakens the nerves of the infected person.
GBS among recipients of Pfizer and GSK’s vaccine!
According to the preliminary information by the health authorities, 4.6 per 1 million people which received vaccine doses of Pfizer’s Abrysvo suffered from GBS and 1.1 per 1 million people which got the jab of GSK’s Arexvy dealt with GBS.
The data was true during the 21-day period after vaccination, according to the reports by Fierce Pharma.
In the midst of the meeting, the CDC’s immunization safety officer – Thomas Shimabukuro mentioned that out of the total GBS cases, 15 cases were found among the people receiving Abrysvo injection and eight (8) cases developed the syndrome after receiving Arexvy.
Potential risk – GBS!
While elaborating their presentation, the officials highlighted that Guillain-Barré syndrome is definitely a rare outcome of the vaccines but it has raised uncertainty. The occurrence of GBS also poses a “challenge for verification of a potential signal,” according to the officials.
According to the reports by Fierce Pharma, the meeting was also attended by the manufacturers of the vaccine which committed that further research will be conducted on the potential risk.
Statements by representatives of Pfizer and GSK!
During the meet, Pfizer’s head of risk assessment and safety – Reema Mehta stated that the considerations like underlying conditions and the seasonality of GBS might be having a “meaningful impact on the analysis.”
She further assured that the company will be conducting a four different safety studies which will emphasize on the incidence and risk factors of GBS.
A controlled epidemiological study will be conducted by the manufactures of GBS, according to an anonymous spokesperson of the firm. The spokesperson further emphasized that during the study, major focus will be on GBS link with the vaccine.
The email by the spokesperson read, “Patient safety is our highest priority, and we will continue to monitor diligently all safety data reported in the ongoing RSV older adult clinical trials and in post-marketing pharmacovigilance systems.”